Is there caffeine in my drinking chocolate?

We get asked a lot about whether our drinking chocolates contain caffeine, and thought it warranted a note on the topic.

The cacao in our drinking chocolate powders contains little to no caffeine.  Cacao powder naturally contains a substance called theobromine. Theobromine is an alkaloid compound which is related to caffeine and shares a similar structure, but has very different properties and effects - so instead of giving you the jittery high that caffeine provides, theobromine enhances your mood and gives you a very mild boost of energy without the energy crash.  

Cacao vs Caffeine

The theobromine found in cacao acts as a very mild and gentle stimulant, whereas caffeine is a strong stimulant.  Theobromine enhances calmness, boosts mood and offers cognitive enhancement, whereas caffeine often induces anxiety.  And last but not least, cacao boosts magnesium levels in the body whereas caffeine depletes magnesium stores.

In a nutshell, theobromine enhances wellbeing and energy whereas caffeine strips nutrients such as magnesium away, leaving us depleted and tired after the initial artificial energy boost.

We hope we have convinced you to try replacing your morning coffee with a theobromine-rich hot chocolate instead and see how much calmer and balanced you feel. 

Give it a try and let us know how you go!

BUY HERE or Try a recent Recipe using Nib and Noble Drinking Chocolate here.

References:

https://www.nutritionadvance.com/theobromine-benefits/

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/generalissues/Pages/Caffeine.aspx

https://naturalmission.com.au/article/does-cacao-contain-caffeine

https://www.highya.com/articles-guides/can-cacao-replace-your-morning-cup-of-coffee